Alternative Energy Resource Exploration is a Social Responsibility

More and more I am concerned about the energy we use and what the residue emitting from that output does to our environment.  Some people still do not believe we are deteriorating our earth.  I do not understand how that can be, but there are still a few out there that believe we can continue to do what we want, manufacture and pour harsh pollutants into the atmosphere and there will be no consequences.  I just hope that segment of believers is shrinking daily.

It is important in our architectural future that alternative energy sources are seriously considered.  With the growing focus on renewable resources and "green" energy, it is important to understand options for alternative energy within the home.  A home built to conserve energy will go a long way toward cutting down on nonrenewable energy use.

An effective, clean energy system that reduces utility costs, solar energy comes in two forms: passive and active. Passive solar space heating uses energy-absorbing materials in floors and walls that contain, store and later release heat. Materials that can be used include specific types of tile, concrete or masonry.

Depending on where you live, wind energy may be a viable active resource for your alternative needs. Small wind turbines can use the wind from an area to produce clean energy. These turbines generate electricity.

Wind power has been used for centuries and is becoming more and more viable as an energy resource.  It is used for sailboats, sailing ships, windmills for pumping water for irrigation and water used for steam locomotives, and small wind turbines used for lighting of isolated rural buildings were widespread in the first part of the 20th century.  Now wind farms are creating interest.  That is a good thing.  The negative footprint of a wind farm is nominal.  The few associated negatives are minute compared to the positives to be considered.

A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used for production of electric power.  A large wind farm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines, and cover an extended area of hundreds of square miles, but the land between the turbines may be used for agricultural or other purposes. The wind towers may be 70 to 100 feet tall where the highest wind velocity is found. A wind farm may also be located offshore.  Offshore wind power refers to the construction of wind farms in bodies of water to generate electricity from wind. Better wind speeds are available offshore compared to on land, so offshore wind power’s contribution in terms of electricity supplied is higher.  This creates a multi-task scenario on given property.

 A wind farm is a group of wind turbines in the same location used for production of electric power.  A large wind farm may consist of several hundred individual wind turbines, and cover an extended area of hundreds of square miles, but the land between the turbines may be used for agricultural or other purposes.  The wind towers may be 70 to 100 feet tall where the highest wind velocity is found.  A wind farm may also be located offshore.  A few of the challenges with wind power are obvious.  It can be a threat to birds and bats.  However, studies have shown that we lose more aviary life to the toxic atmosphere than to those killed by wind turbines. 

Another challenge is that of the obvious.  Wind power is not a stable source of power.  Research and development is underway to manage those types of issues.  The initial costs with wind power can be substantial, however, with anything else, the costs diminish as more and more wind farms are established.  It is an investment in the future.

People complain of the aesthetics of a wind farm.  However, we may need to accept those things which we cannot change in order to accommodate that which is necessary.  We have adapted to cell phone towers and power lines in our own back yards.  Wind farms can actually be more attractive than the aesthetics of towers and lines.   There may be a time in which it is more important to be healthy and safe and to see pretty.

http://www.ehow.com/facts_5128657_alternative-energy-sources-houses.html#ixzz1NefUe86h

http://www.answers.com/topic/wind-power-2

Olde to HGTV

Once upon a time there was a lady that was pretty good with colors and making “pretty stuff” happen.   To support her habit, she became an HGTV junkie.  HGTV in the morning with coffee, HGTV in the afternoon with wine and HGTV in the evening with dinner.  Every day, all day HGTV was to her like cheap whiskey was to an alcoholic.  When she had to be away, there was TEVO.  That was worth the extra bucks for the additional cable features. 

What was said on HGTV was truth!  What was done on HGTV was fact!    Watching HGTV was living!  Then one day the lady realized it was the same thing over and over.  Very fast HGTV became watered down and boring.  The well respected hosts on those shows were clearly only after a look and not anything else.  Often, the look wasn’t even all that great.  The integrity of the shows began to crumble when she realized these shows can’t happen like they say they happen.  Things are not impromptu or as simple and easy as it appears.

As one grows into the love of design, something clicks.  HGTV is for the masses of those people who want to be entertained.  The sad thing is some people think it is the real deal just as some soap opera fans believe they are viewing a real life drama. 

There are a few shows that have some entertainment value but they still are not showing the full scope of the design and what it takes to get there.  It is television and only that.  Design takes planning, processing, sometimes permitting, and it definitely does not happen in a 24 hour period.  And another thing; do you think if you pulled up to your house after a couple of days away and saw large trucks, TV crews, cords everywhere connected to huge lights looking like a crime scene, you would curiously stroll into your house and be pleasantly surprised???  And who in their right mind would appreciate your neighbors taking over your house for the weekend just to decorate a room in which they repaint the beautiful mahogany cabinet you inherited from your grandmother?  Exactly!  It’s only entertainment.  Design is much more. 

Design is technical and is not always about the “pretty stuff”.  There are codes and laws that never come up on the TV series.  The technical aspects are the core of the design and actually the last part of the design is the aesthetic value.  It all has to come together in an incredible balance. 

So this lady has graduated from HGTV and moved on to graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree in Interior Design.  Two things that couldn’t be farther apart.  Thanks HGTV for turning me off so I could eventually turn you off.

Social Responsibility

The other day I needed some new white-out.  It had been a long time since I had purchased any.  Much to my surprise, I noticed the ecolutions option package.  I looked on the back of the package and it gave a website along with a little teaser about this “wite-out” being recyclable.  Why not???  Can’t be any worse than the old stand-by white out.

When I got home, I looked up the website.  It was true.  Bic has taken responsibility for their products.  It was encouraging.  Pens, inks, white out and many other items have now gone green or sustainable and water based. 

This made me begin to think about the little things we take for granted.  How great a big company like Bic is conscientious about our vulnerable state of the landfills?   So how did it work?  It worked fine.  The white was not quite as thick as before.  The tape was a little more flimsy and thin.  However, this is when our responsibility and accountability come in.  Is it so bad to take a little more time with our efforts in order that the landfills become less toxic, thereby polluting our earth less and less?  I really don’t mind taking a little more effort if it means our water is purer and the microbes that clean it rejuvenate as water filters to be recycled.  We have become such a fast paced society that it may just be nice to slow down and smell the clean air.